Want to make a real difference in the fight against deforestation? The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is offering a fantastic opportunity for journalists to dive deep into forest governance issues with their 2025 Forest Governance Story Grants. Let's explore the details of this exciting initiative!
The Deadline is January 6, 2026.
EJN's Forest Governance Media Initiative (FGMI) is launching with a call for story grant applications. Journalists are invited to report on forest governance topics. They are focusing on several key areas, including Cameroon, Liberia, Ghana, Vietnam, and Indonesia. They also welcome applications from journalists in the UK, EU member states, China, India, and Japan who are interested in international forest governance processes.
This grant program will award up to 7 grants initially, with more opportunities to come. Selected journalists will not only receive funding but also benefit from mentorship throughout the story production process. This project is supported by UK International Development, funded by the UK government.
What stories are they looking for?
They're looking for stories that shed light on specific issues in these countries, although they'll consider other relevant topics as well:
- Indonesia: Focus on deforestation caused by oil palm plantations and mining, land rights for Indigenous and local communities (IPLC), gaps in forest law enforcement, social forestry initiatives, the SVLK timber legality assurance system, and FLEGT-licensed timber.
- Vietnam: Explore timber trade, REDD+ programs, the implementation of the FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement with the EU, and benefit-sharing for local communities.
- Cameroon: Investigate REDD+ projects, community forestry efforts, illegal logging and related activities, cocoa plantations, and forest law enforcement.
- Liberia: Cover illegal logging, mining, deforestation, financial crimes, and the EU-Liberia directives and agreements.
- Ghana: Examine the impacts of gold mining and cocoa production on forests and the implementation of FLEGT licensing.
- International: Report on international forest governance processes, trade relationships, or policies that affect Indonesia, Vietnam, Cameroon, Liberia, and Ghana, such as the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), REDD+, and the Global Biodiversity Framework.
Their goal is to support stories that raise awareness about forest governance, contribute to legal and policy reforms, and spark discussions among stakeholders. They prefer stories that offer fresh perspectives, and unique angles on existing challenges. Stories that have already received extensive media coverage are less likely to be selected.
The Grants:
- They plan to award 7 story grants, each with an average budget of 1,500 GBP.
Who Can Apply?
- Journalists from any country are welcome, but they especially encourage applications from journalists in Cameroon, Liberia, Ghana, Vietnam, and Indonesia, focusing on the specified topics.
- They also invite applications from journalists worldwide who want to report on international forest governance processes that impact the five target countries. Journalists in the UK, EU member states (especially Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, France, and Belgium), China, India, and Japan are particularly encouraged to apply.
- Groups of journalists can apply. Cross-border collaborations between journalists within and outside Cameroon and Vietnam are also acceptable, but the application must be submitted by a lead applicant.
- Applications must be in English. Applicants should have a good understanding of English or have access to a translator.
- Journalists working in any medium (online, print, television, radio) and experienced media practitioners are eligible. They welcome applications from both early-career and experienced journalists with a background in biodiversity, climate, or forest issues. Freelance reporters and staff from all types of media organizations are encouraged to apply.
- Selected journalists must produce work that meets the project's high-quality journalism standards, including the inclusion of marginalized sources, data, multimedia, and other elements, which will be discussed during onboarding.
- Applicants must be transparent about the use of generative AI tools, if any, in their proposals. EJN may disqualify applicants who engage in unethical or improper professional conduct, including submitting AI-generated content as their own.
What are they looking for in a story proposal?
- Relevance: Does the proposal align with the call's criteria and objectives? Why does this story matter, and to whom? Is the core idea, context, and value to the target audience clearly defined?
- Angle: Does your proposal offer new insights or a fresh perspective on the topic?
- Reach: Does the proposed media outlet have a wide reach? Journalists publishing their work at outlets that typically restrict content behind paywalls are encouraged to secure commitments to publish from additional outlets, or request an exception to ensure their EJN-supported story remains accessible to audiences.
- Impact: Does the proposal have a compelling narrative that will inform, engage, draw attention, trigger debate, and spur action?
- Innovative storytelling: Creative approaches, multimedia, and data visualization are a plus.
- Plan for timely publication: Reporters must include a letter of support from an editor, committing to publish the stories by September 2026.
Ready to Apply?
Click here to apply: (https://earthjournalism.us.auth0.com/u/login?state=hKFo2SBpdWZOZ3o1bFVPbVV2UjlQX2ZBRGZZTTRGNVpuM3oyYaFur3VuaXZlcnNhbC1sb2dpbqN0aWTZIGpGdmdRQi1MemNxWVZCTlVqaUZPUmVta01EbENHLTdWo2NpZNkgM1FXQUR2SUVLdktHMkt6UzFOazRaUWJUb3N4ME5YcW0)
For more information, visit: Forest Governance Story Grants (https://earthjournalism.net/opportunities/forest-governance-story-grants-2025)
About the Author:
Jude Ogar is an educator and youth development practitioner with years of experience in the education and youth development space. He is passionate about the development of youth in Africa.
Now, here's a thought-provoking question: With so many complex issues at play, what do you think is the single most important factor in achieving effective forest governance? Share your thoughts in the comments below – let's start a conversation!
